Sorry for the disruption in site service (my fault); Cancer, POTS, Epigenetics & the One-Carbon Methylation Cycles.

I missed an email. Problem now fixed.

I have been very busy with the pomegranate paper, and sadly, or not surprising, it was not accepted for further review – non-standard, which is true. It was too long and I learned more while researching for it and needed to rewrite the main article. A book or website with guided pages and some screening questions to help guide people to material that may be helpful is my plan.

My goal is to make a more concise site with a dropdown menu of some sort to help guide people to the info that they want or need – and some screening question sections to help pinpoint which information may be needed. I have started a very preliminary workflowy.com (https://workflowy.com/s/hyperinflammation-pr/NA9NrJpva8lyi1nH) but got hung up on how to add images. It says just “drag and drop” and I have no idea why that doesn’t seem to work. Is that an Apple thing? ** I figured out how to drag and drop an image but then I couldn’t move it to any other sections. WorkFlowy may not be for me.

I have been posting on SubStack and need to post here more. I have posted a few new things to peace-is-happy.org, but an older post was most read in November so that may have been Oct or even longer ago. The images in this post are some of my travel pics. Peace is mental and physical. (peace-is-happy.org) It is not a long post but has some good starting points. Build mindfulness, peaceful brain pathways and try to forget stressful worry pathways by not thinking about them. One anxiety tip I like – make a Worry Jar and write down your worry, stick it in the jar, schedule 15 minutes to go through your Worry Jar once a week. Saves mental strain to not have an overload on your mind. Writing lists or goals can help put them someplace else where you know you can find it again, and have a little more peace of mind.

Great design should be ‘intuitive.’ Translation: feel natural.
— Tom Peters

Nature repeats chemical structures and pathways across the chain of life. The essential omega 3 fatty acid DHA is ancient, unchanged from simple life forms to complex.

This post is the first of a series, in which I will share my Genes Table.

It has the solution for the health problems that gene alleles may cause – plant polyphenols. Polyphenols may be able to correct the up or down regulation in important pathways that the dysfunctional allele caused by affecting microRNA.

  1. microRNA are the real regulators of gene transcription.Substack.
  2. microRNA, elevated homocysteine and is there a role for excess Retinoic Acid?” (substack.com) *The hyperhomocysteinemia/homocystinuria section of my Genes Table.
  3. Pollutants in Human Plasma Found via Double-Filtration Plasmapheresis Plasma Exchange”, James Lyons-Weiler. (substack.com) *This is a cross post. Heavy metal toxins and thread like objects and aluminum-silicon combinations were found in a filtration of plasma procedure. This is related to pomegranate because the peel is effective at clumping nanoparticles into larger clumps that are big enough for white blood cells to sense as something needing to be removed.
  4. POTS – Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, can be epigenetic & therefore may be reversible”. (substack.com) *The Dystonia section of my Genes Table.

Before moving on to more sections, or exploring other conditions and yet more links…

This one is excellent and has a video abstract/overview: (Hayden, Tyagi, 2022) Hayden, M.R., Tyagi, S.C., (2022). Impaired Folate-Mediated One-Carbon Metabolism in Type 2 Diabetes, Late-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease and Long COVID. Medicina. 58(1):16. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina58010016 Available at https://www.mdpi.com/1648-9144/58/1/16 (Accessed: 4 Dec 2022) Figure 1: Folate-Mediated One-Carbon Metabolism (FOCM).

In it we learn that the one-carbon methylation cycles are used within cell’s cytoplasm, within the mitochondria, and within the cell’s nucleus – and if the nucleus version is impaired, then … methylation of DNA will be impaired – it will not occur. Epigenetic changes will be very likely if there is dysfunction in the one-carbon methylation cycle within the nucleus.

Nature loves a good design and will repeat it.

Figure 2. Compartmentalization of FOCM. Note the presence of the folate-methionine one carbon cycle metabolism in the cytoplasm (cytosol), mitochondria and nucleus. Additionally, note the importance of formate being transferred from the mitochondria to the nucleus, as well as S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) via nuclear pores. Importantly, deoxythymidine monophosphate (dTMP) synthesis occurs in the cytosol, nucleus and mitochondria, whereas purine synthesis and methionine synthesis take place within the cytosol. Mitochondrial FOCM generates formate for cytosolic and nuclear FOCM and biosynthetic precursors for mtDNA synthesis and mitochondrial protein translation. Thymidylate synthase (TYMS) converts deoxyuridine monophosphate (dUMP) to dTMP in a 5,10-methylene-THF-dependent reaction (not shown). It is important to note that mitochondrial SAM (Mt SAM) is derived from cytosolic SAM (cSAM). Additionally, the Krebs cycle also resides within the mitochondria and provides NADH and FADH2 to the electron transport chain for ATP production. ATP = adenosine triphosphate; c = cytosol; ETC = electron transport chain; FAD = flavin adenine dinucleotide; FADH = reduced flavin adenine dinucleotide; FFA = free fatty acids; HHcy = hyperhomocysteinemia; MS = methionine synthase; Mt = mitochondria; NADH = reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide; T = thymidylate-thymine; U = uracil.” (Hayden, Tyagi, 2022)

I had a reply recently saying nobody understands this (roughly) and my response would be: We learn by studying things that we don’t understand and looking up whatever words we need to look up in order to better understand it.

Here, in this complex graphic (above) – even a First Grader might guess that “Formate” is important. It appears that the nucleus version of the one-carbon cycles will not occur without formate to get it started. SAM is also important – the one-carbon cycle taking place in the cell’s cytoplasm creates the methyl donor cSAM which is converted into mitochondrial mSAM. The nucleus needs the (I don’t know what it is either) “Formate” and cSAM to enter through nuclear pores in order for the one-carbon cycle to be able to take place within the nucleus for DNA methylation needs. Meaning mitochondrial dysfunction of the one-carbon cycle leads to epigenetic changes and lack of DNA methylation in the nucleus of the cell, and dysfunction of the one-carbon cycle in the cytoplasm might precede the mitochondrial dysfunction as the cSAM is needed by the mitochondria and the nucleus. (Hayden, Tyagi, 2022) *They recommend that physicians screen homocysteine levels more often – it is not standardly measured with basic labs.

Formate, heat stress and SMYD3.

Internet answers: Formate is a result of the breakdown of Carbon dioxide, CO2,— and various engineering research approaches have been used to try to reduce CO2 from the air by promoting formate production (in microbes or chemical reactions) – but that is tangentially related and simply was the immediate search results. More to the physiological point – if we want to be able to make formate, we need the gene SMYD3 to be functional and active as it promotes synthesis of formate.

Conclusions: Our study demonstrates that SMYD3 regulates the activity of the mitochondrial metabolic enzyme MTHFD1L through H3K4me3 histone methylation modification, promotes formate synthesis and induces mitophagy, which inhibits M1 polarization in macrophages.” (Zhu, et al., 2022)

SMYD3 is important in histone methylation, and growth of embryos and cancer tumors, in order to localize it to the nucleus, where we need it for the one carbon cycle and methylation of DNA, Heat Shock Protein 90 (HSP 90) is needed as a nuclear chaperone (~transport protein). “[12, 23, 31]” (Bernard, et al, 2021)

In summary, SMYD3 is critical for the activation of MAP3K2, a key kinase in the Ras-activated MAP signaling pathway, in both lung and pancreatic cancers. Furthermore, SMYD3 is associated with advanced stage and poor survival in NSCLC, and promotes cell proliferation, invasion, and chemotherapy resistance phenotypes.” (Bernard, et al, 2021)

… ‘miR-3613-3p/MAP3K2/p38/caspase-3 pathway regulates the heat-stress-induced apoptosis of endothelial cells’ (Liu, Liu, Chen, 2021)

The results revealed that miR-3613-3p expression was reduced in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) following [heat stress] HS, which led to apoptosis. Mechanistically, following HS, a decrease in miR-3613-3p binding to the 3′-untranslated region of MAP3K2 directly upregulated its expression, and the downstream p38 and caspase-3 pathways, thereby leading to apoptosis. Taken together, the results of the present study demonstrated that HS suppressed miR-3613-3p expression, which activated the MAP3K2/p38/caspase-3 pathway, leading to the apoptosis of HUVECs.” (Liu, Liu, Chen, 2021)

Our goal – to not get overheated – avoid heat stress.

Not the same miRNA exactly, but from an interesting paper. “Chen et al. identified two miRNAs (hsa-miR-1307-3p and hsa-miR-3613-5p) that could prevent viral replication by targeting the 3′-UTRs of replication-related SARS-CoV-2 RNA 67.” (Yang, et al., 2022)

Pomegranate and heat stress – nature designed the plant to tolerate heat.

Pomegranate is a sustainable crop because it can tolerate heat, and salty soil and doesn’t need much water. The MAPK pathway is inhibited by pomegranate peel extract, and also by the 9 polyphenols discussed in the post: 1. “microRNA are the real regulators of gene transcription.Substack. I am not sure if the MAP3K2 is similarly inhibited but it seems likely.

Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome can have an epigenetic cause.

Why is this important? Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome is no fun and kind of scary. If you stand up too fast, your blood pressure can no longer shift quickly enough, however that works, and you get dizzy and need to grab something and rest a minute to get the accompanying tachycardia (very rapid heart rate, like it is trying to leap out of your chest almost). Laying down and lifting the knees and feet up helps slow the heart rate. Sitting or at least pausing is necessary or fainting may occur. I did faint once or twice and that is an odd feeling to find yourself on the floor after you come around. See: POTS – Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, can be epigenetic & therefore may be reversible. (substack.com) *Includes the Dystonia section of my Genes Table with more info and a link to my book chapter on the topic (but in computer lingo, the links don’t work).

Many chronic conditions involve epigenetic changes. Sometimes it can be reversed but not always and less likely the longer the condition has lasted. I had POTS-like symptoms for a few months twice and I figured out how to get better. It is not a fun condition and standard treatment usually does not help enough. People become physically disabled as it worsens. You can’t over-exert or stand up too fast or the symptoms of dizziness and racing heart occur.

When you have an open mind, you can learn new things.

Epigenetics – the basics.

Epigenetics – an overview/the opening of an Abstract about a review paper focused on cancer treatment and epigenetics:

Epigenetics refers to heritable changes that are not encoded in the DNA sequence itself, but play an important role in the control of gene expression.

In mammals, epigenetic mechanisms include changes in

  • DNA methylation,
  • histone modifications and
  • non-coding RNAs.
    • [microRNA are non-coding RNAs (19-23 nucleotides) and there are also longer ones (up to ~100, or a few >/= 200 nucleotides) that are still shorter than an mRNA which is used to transcribe a protein, so it is the full length of the matching DNA from the gene sequence, but only half of the zipper/ladder shape of the double helix.]

Although epigenetic changes are heritable in somatic cells, these modifications are also potentially reversible, which makes them attractive and promising avenues for tailoring cancer preventive and therapeutic strategies. Burgeoning evidence in the last decade has provided unprecedented clues that diet and environmental factors directly influence epigenetic mechanisms in humans. Dietary polyphenols from green tea, turmeric, soybeans, broccoli and others have shown to possess multiple cell-regulatory activities within cancer cells. More recently, we have begun to understand that some of the dietary polyphenols may exert their chemopreventive effects in part by modulating various components of the epigenetic machinery in humans.” (Link, Balaguer, Goel, 2010)

*Bullet points and note added by me. See: Non-coding RNAs: Classification, Biology and Functioning. (Hombach, Kretz, 2010)

Cancer is mitochondrial dysfunction related to cytoplasm dysfunction of the One-Carbon Methylation cycles.

As it turns out, nature really likes the one-carbon methylation cycle and mitochondria seem to be a control center of our cells rather than the nucleus. Cancer is dysfunction of mitochondria which leads to aberrant signaling to the cell nucleus which leads to cancerous like changes in their growth. Experiments have shown though, that when the nucleus of a cancer cell, with the gene changes in place, is transplanted into a healthy cell with healthy mitochondria and cytoplasm, the cell does not become cancerous. However, when a nucleus from a healthy cell is transplanted into a cancer cell that had its nucleus removed, the cell remains cancerous. When cancer cell mitochondria are transplanted into a healthy cell with a normal nucleus – it changes into a cancer cell with cancerous gene changes and out of control growth. The increased growth may be part of more normal pathways used during embryology and child growth. This indicates that cancer is NOT a GENETIC disease. The disease pathology was connected to the diseased cell’s mitochondria, not the diseased cell’s nucleus.

It turns out that mitochondria direct events within the cell and are the controller for signaling the need for apoptosis – put this cell to a merciful death, it is done. But with dysfunctional mitochondria there is no signal presented to kill the cell and it grows out of control or remains dysfunctional but alive – a senescent cell – alive and consuming, but no longer producing functional benefits for the organism or organ.

Cancer is a mitochondrial dysfunction. The one flaw in Dr Seyfried’s treatment plan though, is that such a high fat diet will still promote mitochondrial dysfunction. I would recommend a less stringent ketone diet, at least after some short-term initial phase that is moderate carb and >/= 50% of calories from fats. Use more ketones and some protein, but a diet above 60% fat may in itself cause mitochondrial dysfunction.

https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/KusaU2taxow?rel=0&autoplay=0&showinfo=0&enablejsapi=0

His depressing but helpful message is that also, the chemotherapy, radiation and some of surgical approaches are likely just adding to mitochondrial dysfunction and making the cancer worse. Carbohydrates and glutamates need to be restricted – and that equals sugar, bread, potatoes, pasta, pizza, tomato products, cheese, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, barbecue sauce or barbecue, artificial seasonings, ice cream, sweetened beverages, etc – much of the modern diet in other words.

Resources

/Housekeeping – I noticed an older comment suggesting that I provide checklists or more guidance for what to do, regarding my Table 5 – Nutrients depleted by psychiatric medications, which also are nutrients needed by mitochondria, and are risk factors for schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s dementia, or COVID19. I shortened the name of that Table to ‘Nutrients of Concern’.

See:

  • Downloadable Tools in my toolbox – by Jennifer Depew, R.D. (substack.com)
  • My first Substack post is still pertinent – Nrf2 & NF-kB – 2 proteins to know. (substack.com)

Disclaimer: Opinions are my own and the information is provided for educational purposes within the guidelines of fair use. While I am a Registered Dietitian this information is not intended to provide individual health guidance. Please see a health professional for individual health care purposes.

Reference List

(Bernard, et al, 2021) Bernard, B.J., Nigam, N., Burkitt, K. et al., (2021). SMYD3: a regulator of epigenetic and signaling pathways in cancer. Clin Epigenet 13(45) https://doi.org/10.1186/s13148-021-01021-9 Available at: https://clinicalepigeneticsjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13148-021-01021-9 (Accessed: 5 Dec 2022)

(Hayden, Tyagi, 2022) Hayden, M.R., Tyagi, S.C., (2022). Impaired Folate-Mediated One-Carbon Metabolism in Type 2 Diabetes, Late-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease and Long COVID. Medicina. 58(1):16. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina58010016 Available at https://www.mdpi.com/1648-9144/58/1/16 (Accessed: 4 Dec 2022) Figure 1: Folate-Mediated One-Carbon Metabolism (FOCM), Figure 2. Compartmentalization of FOCM.

(Hombach, Kretz, 2010) Hombach S, Kretz M. (2016). Non-coding RNAs: Classification, Biology and Functioning. Adv Exp Med Biol. 937:3-17. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-42059-2_1. PMID: 27573892. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27573892/ (Accessed: 5 Dec 2022)

(Link, Balaguer, Goel, 2010) Link, A., Balaguer, F., Goel, A., (2010). Cancer Chemoprevention by Dietary Polyphenols: Promising Role for Epigenetics. Biochemical pharmacology. 80:1771-92. 10.1016/j.bcp.2010.06.036. Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/45090894_Cancer_Chemoprevention_by_Dietary_Polyphenols_Promising_Role_for_Epigenetics/citation/download(Accessed: 5 Dec 2022)

(Liu, Liu, Chen, 2021) Liu J, Xu S, Liu S, Chen B. (2021). miR‑3613‑3p/MAP3K2/p38/caspase‑3 pathway regulates the heat‑stress‑induced apoptosis of endothelial cells. Mol Med Rep. Sep;24(3):633. doi: 10.3892/mmr.2021.12272. Epub 2021 Jul 19. PMID: 34278472; PMCID: PMC8280962. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8280962/ (Accessed: 5 Dec 2022)

(Yang, et al., 2022) Yang, C.Y., Chen, Y.H., Liu, P.J., Hu, W.C., Lu, K.C., Tsai, K.W., (2022). The emerging role of miRNAs in the pathogenesis of COVID-19: Protective effects of nutraceutical polyphenolic compounds against SARS-CoV-2 infection. Int J Med Sci. Jul 18;19(8):1340-1356. doi: 10.7150/ijms.76168. PMID: 35928726; PMCID: PMC9346380. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9346380/ (Accessed: 5 Dec 2022)

(Zhu, et al., 2022) Zhu, W., Wang, S., Xue, L., Liu, L., Yang, X., Liu, Z., et al., (2022). The SMYD3-MTHFD1L-formate metabolic regulatory axis mediates mitophagy to inhibit M1 polarization in macrophages, International Immunopharmacology, 113(Part A), 2022, 109352, ISSN 1567-5769, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.intimp.2022.109352. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1567576922008360

Genetic Screenings can give guidance about potential medication adverse reactions.

I had a more complete ancestry.com genetic screening done and an independent (for research/personal use only) analysis of the raw data showed that I have an impaired ability to process drugs including olanzapine. (Note for new readers, I had a very bad reaction to that drug, and am not alone per some patient forum feedback by others who had trouble with it causing very bad mood changes when trying to stop using it. Get the genetic screening done first would be my strongly worded advice – suicide and homocide has been associated with withdrawal from the drug and it can cause diabetes and significant weight gain while using it.)  https://www.snpedia.com/index.php/gs155

Additional reference for further discussion of the advances in the use of genetic screenings for medication risk is available in a book that is already slightly dated with the rapid advances in technology but as a starting point it is helpful for an overview on the history of technological advances in the area of medical care: The Creative Destruction of Medicine: How the Digital Revolution will Create Better Health Care, by Eric Topol, M.D., 2013. Basic Books. ISBN: 978-0465061839. (1) (“Book Review…,” and summary, by Jung A Kim, RN, PhD, PubMed_2)

One of the pioneers in personal genetic screening was Esther Dyson, a venture capitalist. She quoted a colleague regarding why she agreed to be one of the first ten participants in the Personal Genome Project:

“You would no more take a drug without knowing the relevant data from your genome than you would get a blood transfusion without knowing your blood type.” [128] (1)

The future of individualized health care will include genetic screening for everyone and what isn’t addressed in the book by cardiologist and translational research specialist Eric Topol, M.D. is the use of genetic screening for individualized nutrition guidance. In addition to discovering what medications may work better or be more dangerous for an individual genetic screening can target which types of exercise or diet plans may be more or less beneficial and which nutrients may need to be restricted or supplemented more than the average guidance.

My previous genetic screening was for fewer genes but which were chosen as most commonly a problem for children on the autism spectrum – I had 11 of the 30 and the guidance led to supplements and diet changes that have helped me feel better and have better mood stability – “Methylation Cycle Defects – in me, Genetic Screening For Research Purposes Only” – at this stage it is a legal phrase as genetic screening is not considered consistent enough for use as a diagnostic tool, but my personal health is of significant interest to me.

Chronic illnesses that I may be more prone to include inflammatory intestinal disease https://www.snpedia.com/index.php/rs2241880 and other autoimmune conditions and Type 1 diabetes. I may produce less insulin than average. https://www.snpedia.com/index.php/rs7574865

and suicidal ideation with depression and/or bipolar disorder. https://www.snpedia.com/index.php/rs10748045

I may have reduced MOAO activity which means reduced breakdown of brain neurotransmitters that affect mood. rs6323(T;T)

And reduced drug metabolism which could affect dosage of some immune suppressing and cancer treatment drugs. https://www.snpedia.com/index.php/rs1800460

A few areas may increase my risk of heart disease, especially with a high fat diet, and especially if stress-related, cortisol induced,  https://www.snpedia.com/index.php/rs6318   and I may have increased risk for aortic or brain aneurysm (weak blood vessels bursting – lovely – but not really a surprise with my severe migraine history – it always felt like something was wrong with my blood vessels in one area of my brain that MRI showed I had “tortuous” twisted shaped vessels – okay – meditating calmly about all that, thanks.)   https://www.snpedia.com/index.php/rs10757278

Heart attack/cardiac arrest is at increased risk if I also have hypertension (which I don’t – magnesium rich diets are associated with reduced risk of high blood pressure). https://www.snpedia.com/index.php/rs187238

while other genetic differences may decrease my heart disease risk; and vigorous exercise may be needed for me to be able to maintain a healthy weight. I may be able to lose weight easier on a low fat diet; and more likely to gain on a high saturated fat diet. https://www.snpedia.com/index.php/rs5082

Another is associated with increased obesity risk, there may be a disruption/decrease “loss of mitochondrial thermogenesis.” – in other words, inefficient energy production by the cellular structures that turn glucose sugar into usable energy. https://www.snpedia.com/index.php/rs1421085

It involves a protein that is an enzyme and is called more simply the FTO protein or more chemically, the – “alpha-ketoglutarate-dependent dioxygenase FTO is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the FTO gene located on chromosome 16” – Wikipedia/FTO gene. FTO stands for Fat mass and obesity-associated protein. The protein is involved in demethylating DNA/RNA strands – which means it is involved in activating other genes. Methyl groups are an Oxygen-Hydrogen group, potentially one part of the water molecule when combined with one more Hydrogen, and when a DNA/RNA genetic strand is fully methylated in any potential bonding areas then the gene is inactive, methyl groups are a little like an off switch for the gene. So to not have the FTO enzyme I would be unable to turn some genes to the active/on phase. Clinical trials/observation of patients with the genetic difference found what was not turned off was the appetite, significantly more calories (125-280 Kcal) were eaten each day compared to control group subjects who didn’t have the difference. The difference is also associated with decreased verbal fluency, frontal lobe size and an increased risk for Alzheimer’s Disease. Wikipedia/FTO gene. What to do about it is not mentioned.

I do have genes associated with an increased childhood sensitivity to bitter flavors that may become as an adult, taste that is more accustomed to the flavor. https://www.snpedia.com/index.php/gs227

The screening does show a folate, B vitamin, difference similar to that found in a more specific genetic screening designed to reveal autism related differences that I had done with a different company a few years ago. The difference would increase my need for folate as my ability to process it may be only 10-20% of normal, and the lack of folate can increase the risk of excess build up of a chemical (homocysteine) associated with heart disease risk, especially if I was also low in B12 and B6.  https://www.snpedia.com/index.php/rs1801133

I may have increased risk for breast cancer. rs2981582(C;T)

Genetic screenings are just a possibility, not a sure thing. I have a 99% likelihood of having blue eyes – but I don’t, I have green eyes.   https://www.snpedia.com/index.php/rs12913832 

Although I may have increased risk of scoliosis – which I do have a slight case of – https://www.snpedia.com/index.php/rs11190870

There is an increased chance that I’m optimistic and handle stress well – isn’t that swell? rs53576(G,G) (No link because this is a long file and it is starting to not respond, I am using a slow internet speed.)

Normal (A2/A2) Better avoidance of errors. Normal OCD risk, normal Tardive Dyskinesia risk, lower ADHD risk. Less Alcohol dependence. Higher risk of Postoperative Nausea. Lower obesity. Bupropion is effective.”  – Bupropion is a psychiatric medication that I did find helpful for years but eventually developed some side effects and stopped using it.

The genetic screening was done by ancestry.com and the raw data from the screening was processed independently (small fee) by the promethease.com website.

It may be clear that genetic screening is a complex topic and is for general health guidance rather than diagnostic purposes although the drug sensitivity information is used by medical professionals in some areas of treatment.

A couple other positive gene differences may provide me a better than average memory and muscle fibers that are better for moving fast – sprinting.

  • Disclaimer: Opinions are my own and the information is provided for educational purposes within the guidelines of fair use. While I am a Registered Dietitian this information is not intended to provide individual health guidance. Please see a health professional for individual health care purposes.
  1. Eric Topol, M.D,, The Creative Destruction of Medicine: How the Digital Revolution will Create Better Health Care, 2013. Basic Books. ISBN: 978-0465061839.  (1) Chapter 5, Biology: Sequencing the Genome, page 117: [128]
  2. Jung A Kim, RN, PhD, Book Review: The Creative Destruction of Medicine: How the Digital Revolution will Create Better Health CareHealth Inform Res. 2013 Sep; 19(3): 229–231.  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3810531/ PubMed_2)

[128] Esther Dyson, “Full Disclosure,” Wall Street Journal, July 25, 2007, A15.

Glycine, Cheerful Juice, and testing for glyphosate

My experiences with taking a larger dose of the free amino acids glycine and methionine proved to my satisfaction that they are indeed essential for physical and mental health. In definition methionine is considered essential, we can not synthesize it and need an external source while glycine is considered nonessential, we can make it from other chemicals. For someone who can’t properly breakdown either though they might both be considered essential for health. It has been helping my mood and health.

I’ve continued to take the amino acids in a half teaspoon dose since the evening I took the full teaspoon dose late at night and couldn’t get to sleep. Essential nutrients can often have ranges for how much is helpful; too little or too much of many things can cause different types of symptoms. The taste isn’t better but I’ve (almost) acquired the taste for it — the astringent tang of a Pinot Noir was the closest taste I could think of —  which does turn out to contain free amino acids, including methionine and glycine. [http://skipthepie.org/beverages/alcoholic-beverage-wine-table-red-merlot/compared-to/alcoholic-beverage-wine-table-red-pinot-noir/#proteins]

Probably a few people can relate to the idea of red wine being a “Cheerful Juice,” it turns out that the free amino acids may have something to do with it.

What I did find is that having a genetic defect in the metabolic pathway of an essential amino acid such as glycine can have significant negative effects on mood and energy level and that simply adding an external source of the missing nutrient can have significant positive effects.

The genetic defect that I have may be rare, I don’t know, but if glyphosate is able to substitute for glycine within physiology then an external source of purified glycine may also be beneficial for anyone eating foods based on ingredients that may contain traces of glyphosate.

Testing for the presence of glyphosate would not be as simple as testing for the free amino acid however; if it had been incorporated into proteins in place of glycine, then the glyphosate would only be discovered by the lab test if the longer protein chains were broken down first into the free amino acids — and glyphosate if it had been incorporated into the protein instead of glycine.

Another way to test to see if glyphosate is being incorporated into the structure of proteins in place of glycine would be to add radioactively tagged glyphosate into a system capable of assembling proteins and then test the new mixture to see whether the radioactively tagged glyphosate was used in place of glycine within the newly synthesized protein chains.

Glyphosate was found within vaccinations that were independently tested by a non-profit group, Moms Across America, but the company Monsanto has since stated that the lab screening that was used was invalid and the testing system Monsanto used found no residue of glyphosate in vaccinations. [http://monsantoblog.com/2016/09/13/monsanto-responds-to-flawed-study-by-samsel-claiming-glyphosate-in-vaccines/] — A test for free amino acids wouldn’t find glyphosate that had been incorporated into proteins of agar gelatin or viral proteins.

Series on glycine and use as a supplement for genetic defect–nutrigenomics:

  1. Glycine is an Amino Acid with Neurotransmitter Roles, 10/15/2016,  https://transcendingsquare.com/2016/10/15/glycine-is-an-amino-acid-with-neurotransmitter-roles/
  2. Cheerful Juice Lives Up to its Name, 10/20/16,  https://transcendingsquare.com/2016/10/20/cheerful-juice-lives-up-to-its-name/
  3. Cheerful Juice; the morning after,  10/20/2016,  https://transcendingsquare.com/2016/10/20/cheerful-juice-the-morning-after/

/Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational purposes within the guidelines of fair use. While I am a Registered Dietitian this information is not intended to provide individual health guidance. Please see a health professional for individual health care purposes./